In the wake of a recent storm that wreaked havoc on Houston, Texas, thousands are grappling with the aftermath, particularly the loss of electricity. Among those affected are vulnerable individuals with critical health needs, including those who rely on electrically powered medical devices for survival.

Plight of the Affected

Sherry Johnson, a resident of Humble, Texas, is one such individual. Her 28-year-old son suffers from Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, a debilitating condition that necessitates continuous access to electricity for medical treatments and equipment operation.

It’s hard, really hard. Very hard, shared Dakara Owens, another resident grappling with the effects of the storm.

Communication Breakdown

Johnson expressed frustration over the lack of communication and assistance from their power provider, Ambit Energy. She highlighted the absence of alerts or support from the utility company, exacerbating their distress during the outage.

I have not heard anything. There’s been no alerts, nobody coming by to see if anybody needs anything, lamented Johnson.

Desperate Measures

With the prolonged power outage, Johnson resorted to purchasing gasoline to fuel a generator, striving to maintain a conducive environment for her son’s health and well-being.

You don’t want to get him overheated, the equipment has to constantly be cooled off, Johnson explained, underscoring the urgency of their situation.

Fear of Hospitalization

Owens expressed reluctance towards hospitalization, viewing it as a last resort. He emphasized the preference for managing his medical needs at home, provided there is access to electricity.

If I don’t have power, then I will be forced to go to the hospital, and I don’t want to go to no hospital, he stated.

Hope Amidst Hardship

Despite the challenges, Johnson and her son remain hopeful for the swift restoration of power, which would alleviate their current predicament and restore normalcy to their lives.

They’re [the hospital] overbooked, they got other patients, and I don’t want to take a bed from somebody that could use the emergency. Everything he needs is here and if you have electricity, hey, he’s in good shape, Johnson emphasized.

Resilience in Adversity

The narrative of Johnson and Owens is just one among many emerging stories in the aftermath of the storm, showcasing both the struggles and resilience of the affected residents in Houston and its surrounding areas.

This serves as a poignant reminder of the profound impact of natural disasters on vulnerable communities, highlighting the need for proactive measures to support and safeguard those most in need during such crises.

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